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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Animal and Poultry Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
81134	Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Animal and Poultry Science
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Secondary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		SAQA 1141/23	2021-07-01	2024-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30		2030-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
14618	Bachelor of Science: Agriculture: Animal and Poultry Science	Level 7	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7	514	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The agricultural industry, which underpins all aspects of the South African economy, requires applied scientists with high levels of knowledge and skills to help supply the population's spiralling demand for food from scarce resources. In support of the strengthening and developing of links between science and agriculture, the school of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness offers a professional qualification in Animal and Poultry Science which leads to Master of Science in Agriculture, and Doctor of Philosophy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

1. An adequate exposure to physical science or biology
2. An Adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.
3. Adequate literacy skills in English
4. Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard.

These can be demonstrate in a number of ways:

a) Matriculation Exemption with at least 40 % at Higher Grade or at least 60 % at Standard Grade for Mathematics and at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.
b) Alternative access programme such as the Science Foundation Programme (SFP)

5. Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.
6. The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The achievement of this qualification means that the learner can:

1. The student is able to communicate effectively with peers, in a variety of modes, in the discourse of the Animal and Poultry Sciences.
2. The student demonstrates responsible and effective time-management and organisation of projects and research, meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines.
3. The student is able to interact sympathetically, and with increasing self-confidence, as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations.
4. The student is able to manage data and information effectively, through their collection, storage, analysis, synthesis, presentation and critical evaluation using a variety of valid and reliable methods and instruments.
5. The student exhibits a detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of discipline-specific theories, and comprehends both the interactions between the animal, its feed and the environment and the multidisciplinary nature of problems in world agriculture.
6. The student is able to face and manage problems encountered in animal production systems and agribusiness, through identification and definition of the problem, and use of critical analysis, appropriate methodology and theory to devise a number of responsible and creative problem-solving strategies.
7. The student uses metacognitive skills to reflect on the processes of learning and problem-solving, challenging assumptions made, testing for consistency in reasoning, and redefining hypotheses.
8. The student can participate as an effective and accountable Animal or Poultry Scientist, able to use science and technology responsibly and sensitive to the ethical role of animal production in issues such as sustainable resource management, cultural tradition, rural development and animal welfare.
9. The student exhibits many of the characteristics of a life-long learner, possessing a questioning and critical sense of curiosity, self-motivated, reflective, and capable of employing a range of metacognitive skills and learning strategies. The student shows an entrepreneurial awareness of the career opportunities available to an Animal or Poultry Scientist.
10. The student is a competent user of computer technology as a tool in visual presentations, storage and analysis of data and information, written and graphic work, and in modelling animal systems.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment for applied competence is used increasingly in individual modules, culminating in two integrated assessment modules, prior to qualification.

1. Review paper and research project: Animal science 490. The first of these capstone modules involves an extended investigation into a specific aspect of Animal or Poultry Science and centres on a thorough literature search and a research project: Animal Science 490. Assessment criteria: The student meets deadlines set, in collecting, synthesising and critically evaluating new information and research data in a narrow field of specialisation. Findings are communicated imaginatively to peers, in written and oral format, including definition of the topic or problem, justification and contextualisation of the research conducted and defence of the conclusions reached. The Animal Ethics Sub-Committee accepts the student's research protocol. Competent use of computer technology is shown in all aspects of information and data management, and presentations. Reflection on the learning strategies, personal organisation, theory and methodology used in this module is critical and self-evaluating. The student participates actively in meetings with professional Animal and Poultry Scientists and gains practical experience of a range of career opportunities in the applied Sciences.

2. Capstone: Animal Science 480. Assessment criteria: The student meets deadlines set and shows competent use of computer technology in completing a number of group projects. The student classifies information from animal and poultry production enterprises and relates this classification to the managerial functions of problem identification, analysis and planning, and decision-making. The student produces work in which operations research principles are applied to information from production enterprises and used in making decisions based on choice and/or optimisation. The student creates simulation models using physical, biological and economic information in a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving in the animal and poultry industries. The student, as part of a group, completes a business plan, which demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit and responsible use of Science and technology.

Integrated assessment
The university of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification

Specific assessment methods:
1. An extended investigation into a specific aspect of Animal and Poultry Science, centering on a thorough literature search and a research project: Animal Science 490
Assessment methods used with these criteria are: submission of a review paper, two formal oral presentations (formative exercise in preparation skills), a research project, submission of a scientific paper on the research findings, a reflective essay on the learning process and completion of two months practical experience in animal handling and farm operation. Self- and peer-assessment form an integral part of the assessment procedure. The scientific papers and its presentation are externally assessed

2. Capstone: Animal Science 480
Assessment methods used with these criteria are: database design, spreadsheet design (for simulation exercises) oral and written presentation of reports, a business plan, and a formal summative examination. Self-and peer-assessment form an integral part of the assessment procedure.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the programme.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under Assessor Criteria will suffice.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	University of KwaZulu-Natal